Talking & Teaching
Talks & Workshops
Over the many years I have been stitching I have also been gathering stories and histories of quilting and patch-working. These are fascinating adventures and thread into the most unexpected subjects!
I also present talks on other aspects of my working life, both past and present.
I taught Photography for over 25 years and, although there are many technical aspects to this craft, the most important of all is Composition - the art of making a great photo.
Running Parallel to my stitching life, I am a Canine Behaviourist and Psychologist, specialising in rehabilitating trauma cases, and working closely with rescue centres.
I have created illustrated talks to help bring these subjects to life and show how these skills and experiences weave their way through our history and underpin our lives.
60 minute illustrated talks
These are perfect for groups such as W.I., Royal British Legion, museums, libraries, sewing groups and historical groups.
Illustrated Talks:
The Underground Railroad "Patterned Path to Freedom" is the story, steeped in myth and legend, that tells how the enslaved people in Southern America during the slave years, used quilt patterns to teach codes that helped the slaves to find their way on the Underground Railroad to Canada and Freedom. Brave, indomitable souls risking life and limb in their quest for freedom. This is an amazing story! I bring my quilt created from recycled fabrics and made from ‘orphaned’ quilt blocks, the way that the seamstresses would have done in the early days. I also talk about the history of African textiles and how these relate to quilting.
"Wartime Quilts" Wartime Quilts & Prisoner Quilting: the skills and sacrifices surrounding these life saving quilts and the stories of ingenuity and bravery.
I talk about the Signature Quilts that helped with fundraising, the scrap quilts that helped during the bombings and the Changi Gaol quilts that told the stories and helped send codes out of the prisons. I bring a collection of 1920s and 1930s linens from the war years and examples of what the prisoners would have used.
“The Art of Making a Photograph” This is for anyone - from a phone to a full SLR Camera. I unravel the art of using composition techniques to create the best shot possible. This is fully illustrated with a powerpoint showing lots of techniques, examples and tips.
“Living with Luna” The story of adopting, then working to rehabilitate a severely traumatised border collie, and how she has led me to working in this field now with rescue dogs. It is a positive tale with lots of tips and techniques that anyone can use to enrich their own dogs lives. This is illustrated with a powerpoint and, if allowed, I am accompanied by my current rescue dog.
The fifth talk "Life on the Cut" is not based on my work, but on my love of Narrow Boats, the crafts, history and how women played such a big role in the historic working boat community. It also includes working boats of today and the realities of living and working aboard one.
Illustrated with a powerpoint and various visual aids.
My 2026 price is £135 + travel from Leighton Buzzard if outside a 5 mile radius.
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Regular Classes I Teach
Patch Perfect in Flitwick
Held at the Kings Church every Thursday morning 10am-1pm
As well as the many techniques needed for patch-working, we also cover a variety of other textiles related skills including embroidery, applique, crochet and many more!
Find us on our Facebook Page or join the group!
This class is currently full.
Stitching Together in Shillington
Held in The Jubilee Room behind the Village Hall in Shillington every Tuesday evening 7pm - 9pm
These classes cover core sewing techniques and skills, both hand stitching and machine work.
The focus is often on the students individual projects. We cover lots of clothing and fabric upcycling, including re-working charity shop buys. Patchwork and embroidery also feature in our long list of learning!
Find us on our Facebook Page
There are spaces available
To book a session CLICK HERE
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Tuition Options
From basic hand stitching to machine work, let me show you skills that will enrich your world!
Learning to sew used to be something that was taught at an early age but those skills have become lost in the world of technology and our fast paced lives, and yet those skills are so very useful and valuable, not only for mending and making, but they give us a chance to slow down, sit quietly, exercise our brains and hands and talk with friends… I just can’t tell you how very important that time is!
Learn to sew from the basics to more intricate skills. You will be sew glad you did!
121 tuition sessions
Small group workshops 4-6 people
Large Group workshops 7+ people
What Can I Learn?
Basic hand sewing skills (making small projects that take 2-3 hours)
Embroidery techniques (stitches and samplers just for starters...!)
Applique Techniques (needle turned or raw edged)
Patchwork and Quilting techniques (blocks, paper piecing, colour choices… and much more!)
Patchworking a Specific Project (can be your choice)
Fabric weaving – great for cushions and covers
Memory quilting using kept fabrics
Mindfulness Slow-Stitching (Kits Available from my shop)
Crochet for beginners
Introduction to Machine Sewing – 121 tuition only at present.
Over the many years I have been stitching I have also been gathering stories and histories of quilting and patch-working. These are fascinating adventures and thread into the most unexpected subjects!
I also present talks on other aspects of my working life, both past and present.
I taught Photography for over 25 years and, although there are many technical aspects to this craft, the most important of all is Composition - the art of making a great photo.
Running Parallel to my stitching life, I am a Canine Behaviourist and Psychologist, specialising in rehabilitating trauma cases, and working closely with rescue centres.
I have created illustrated talks to help bring these subjects to life and show how these skills and experiences weave their way through our history and underpin our lives.
60 minute illustrated talks
These are perfect for groups such as W.I., Royal British Legion, museums, libraries, sewing groups and historical groups.
Illustrated Talks:
The Underground Railroad "Patterned Path to Freedom" is the story, steeped in myth and legend, that tells how the enslaved people in Southern America during the slave years, used quilt patterns to teach codes that helped the slaves to find their way on the Underground Railroad to Canada and Freedom. Brave, indomitable souls risking life and limb in their quest for freedom. This is an amazing story! I bring my quilt created from recycled fabrics and made from ‘orphaned’ quilt blocks, the way that the seamstresses would have done in the early days. I also talk about the history of African textiles and how these relate to quilting.
"Wartime Quilts" Wartime Quilts & Prisoner Quilting: the skills and sacrifices surrounding these life saving quilts and the stories of ingenuity and bravery.
I talk about the Signature Quilts that helped with fundraising, the scrap quilts that helped during the bombings and the Changi Gaol quilts that told the stories and helped send codes out of the prisons. I bring a collection of 1920s and 1930s linens from the war years and examples of what the prisoners would have used.
“The Art of Making a Photograph” This is for anyone - from a phone to a full SLR Camera. I unravel the art of using composition techniques to create the best shot possible. This is fully illustrated with a powerpoint showing lots of techniques, examples and tips.
“Living with Luna” The story of adopting, then working to rehabilitate a severely traumatised border collie, and how she has led me to working in this field now with rescue dogs. It is a positive tale with lots of tips and techniques that anyone can use to enrich their own dogs lives. This is illustrated with a powerpoint and, if allowed, I am accompanied by my current rescue dog.
The fifth talk "Life on the Cut" is not based on my work, but on my love of Narrow Boats, the crafts, history and how women played such a big role in the historic working boat community. It also includes working boats of today and the realities of living and working aboard one.
Illustrated with a powerpoint and various visual aids.
My 2026 price is £135 + travel from Leighton Buzzard if outside a 5 mile radius.
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Regular Classes I Teach
Patch Perfect in Flitwick
Held at the Kings Church every Thursday morning 10am-1pm
As well as the many techniques needed for patch-working, we also cover a variety of other textiles related skills including embroidery, applique, crochet and many more!
Find us on our Facebook Page or join the group!
This class is currently full.
Stitching Together in Shillington
Held in The Jubilee Room behind the Village Hall in Shillington every Tuesday evening 7pm - 9pm
These classes cover core sewing techniques and skills, both hand stitching and machine work.
The focus is often on the students individual projects. We cover lots of clothing and fabric upcycling, including re-working charity shop buys. Patchwork and embroidery also feature in our long list of learning!
Find us on our Facebook Page
There are spaces available
To book a session CLICK HERE
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Tuition Options
From basic hand stitching to machine work, let me show you skills that will enrich your world!
Learning to sew used to be something that was taught at an early age but those skills have become lost in the world of technology and our fast paced lives, and yet those skills are so very useful and valuable, not only for mending and making, but they give us a chance to slow down, sit quietly, exercise our brains and hands and talk with friends… I just can’t tell you how very important that time is!
Learn to sew from the basics to more intricate skills. You will be sew glad you did!
121 tuition sessions
Small group workshops 4-6 people
Large Group workshops 7+ people
What Can I Learn?
Basic hand sewing skills (making small projects that take 2-3 hours)
Embroidery techniques (stitches and samplers just for starters...!)
Applique Techniques (needle turned or raw edged)
Patchwork and Quilting techniques (blocks, paper piecing, colour choices… and much more!)
Patchworking a Specific Project (can be your choice)
Fabric weaving – great for cushions and covers
Memory quilting using kept fabrics
Mindfulness Slow-Stitching (Kits Available from my shop)
Crochet for beginners
Introduction to Machine Sewing – 121 tuition only at present.